v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' ses, a-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, probably from Medieval Latin assessus, past participle of assid ē re, from Latin, to sit beside, assist in the office of a judge ― more at ASSIZE
Date: 15th century
1 : to determine the rate or amount of (as a tax)
2 a : to impose (as a tax) according to an established rate b : to subject to a tax, charge, or levy
3 : to make an official valuation of (property) for the purposes of taxation
4 : to determine the importance, size, or value of < assess a problem>
5 : to charge (a player or team) with a foul or penalty
synonyms see ESTIMATE
– as · sess · able \ - ' se-s ə -b ə l \ adjective